September open log

[emet_sulk]

Who: Emet-Selch and anyone
Status: Open
Where: Various, see prompts
What: A busy mage finds time between developing his new engine to help out with various animal-related quests
Warnings: None, will update as necessary

(Will match format)


1. The Adamantine Forge - Prototype (General 4pts)

It's finally time. Emet-Selch feels that with their collective efforts, they're able to begin work on a prototype of the engine schematic. If all goes well and it functions as he hopes, it will allow them to secure funding for a proper ship rather than something cobbled together with bolts and prayer.

The ship is an old thing recently retired from use that Emet-Selch had managed to procure reasonably cheaply. It's not ideal but, star willing, it will stay afloat long enough to prove the engine works.

Those who come by the Forge can find him:
a) Overseeing the engine being built - it's slightly smaller than the final one will be, since it has to fit into the ship they do have right now.
b) (Later in the month) Overseeing the engine being installed - the Forge will be busier during this time as he needs hands to make sure it's installed correctly.

Visitors may also notice him being accompanied by two curious little creatures: a white chocobo chick and a small, brass T-rex. Both follow at his heels carrying random tools. Sometimes the former will wander off to inspect what others are doing and get underfoot...

2. Only Scale Deep (General 4pts)

Those hunting the rainbow fish may, at some point, feel a chill run down their back. When they look behind, there's nothing but the deep blue sea. But all of a sudden, a shadow erupts from below.

Black tentacles snatch at the hunter's or hunters' leg/s. Without resistance, they'll be dragged down further into the depths where Emet-Selch's chilling, yellow gaze awaits them.

"You don't know when to leave well enough alone, do you?"

3. Jumping Jellies (General 4pts)

With the abundance of jellyfish, Emet-Selch has taken to gathering some for himself. Isn't jellyfish a delicacy in some parts of the world? The toxin and such will be useful as well but there's no sense in throwing out the whole thing and wasting food.

Some of the natives look askance at him as he levitates one of the jellyfish above his palm and magically cleanses it with water and cuts out its poison sac with a flick of his finger.

"Hmm... I should remove the tentacles as well, I suppose."

4. Playing with Fire (General 4pts)

(If you're killing fire sprites:)

"What do you think you're doing?!"

Turn around and you'll see a furious Emet-Selch glaring at you. You've been caught killing a fire sprite and its core is in your hands. Unless...?

(Otherwise:)

Emet-Selch slips by those hunting the fire sprites in search of some of his own. But not to kill, no - to speak to them and request the cores of their dead. The naturally dead, that is. He's not paying any particular attention to whether he's followed, but he WILL notice any amateur attempts to follow him. And if you're doing so kill the fire sprites, well, he's going to defend vigorously.

5. Dragon Tails (Paladin 4pts)

Emet-Selch is feeling extremely aggrieved towards mortals right now for their part in the slaughter of living beings this month. This frustration is visible to all as he takes his turn feeding a sheep to the dragon that has come into the paladins' care. He tries to tamp it down for the wounded creature's sake, but being wild and sensitive to the moods of its visitors, he finds it difficult to approach even with an offer of food.

The sheep in question is floating in the air thanks to his magic. He keeps a wide berth as he carefully directs the offering towards the dragon.

"It wouldn't surprise me if someone tried to sneak in and slaughter you as well," he mutters.

6. Wildcard

I have a plotting post here. I'm interested in the Underwater Ruins special quest as well but I'm waiting on questions relating to the investigation.

Also, I'm happy to do alternate situations for the above prompts. There's a lot this time so I kept it to the essential hooks. _@

Comments

PROTOTYPE

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin wouldn't miss being involved with the construction of this engine for the world. And since he's opened the Starmetal Forge, he's in the best position he can be to assist in its construction.]

[So, Darin arrives early with his precision tools, ready to work.]

[Though, Emet-Selch might notice something a little different about the smith. His biceps, usually exposed, are covered and there's some bandages peeking from beneath his shirt. And that exceptionally powerful soul of his has taken on a little more of a mottled, necrotic color.]

How's the work coming along? Sorry I've been missing in action the last couple of weeks.

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch glances over. His keen eyes quickly pick out the hint of physical injury, but he doesn't think yet to examine the smith's soul. ]

Not to worry. You have your own forge to work on and there are plenty of other hands. There has been a surge of interest from the local population ever since we managed to introduce the heaters and fans.

[ He gestures to Darin's arm. ] More importantly...did you injure yourself? I won't allow you to harm yourself for this project.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

That's great! I think a lot of people are really coming around to the applications of the engine! I know that if we had something like this back in my hometown, the fishermen would be going crazy with excitement.

[He laughs as he sets his tools down on an available surface.]

Ah...yeah, I got into some trouble a couple of weeks ago. But I'm not pushing myself, I promise. This is just...scarring I guess? Pretty sure it'll go away.

[emet_sulk]

[ He casts a doubtful look at the smith. It's at this point that he does take a look beyond what is physically present - just to be sure they aren't putting on a show of bravado, you know. What he sees has his brow furrowing. ]

...Are you sure you're alright? The wound doesn't seem to be purely physical.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Huh? What do you mean?

[Darin looks...well, genuinely puzzled.]

I mean, I was laid up for a bit but he didn't really hurt my feelings or anything.

[Because if it's not physical, Emet must mean emotional, right?]

prototype 💣

[fullgauntlet]

[Izuku is very invested in this little project that has been coming together. Izuku thinks that in another life maybe he would have studying engineering. But this entire thing has been a pretty decent crash course into all of it.]

Emet-Selch-san!

[He waves his greeting and comes up to where the engine is being installed into the prototype ship. It's a little rickety for a ship but... It'll do.]

Do you think we're ready to give it a real test today? Everything is looking promising.

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch looks vaguey stressed as he watches the workers manoeuvre the prototype engine into the hold of the ship. If it falls now, that will be the whole month wasted. ]

If the ship here doesn't sink from the weight, or leak, or a myriad of other things. [ He paces a short distance back and forth along the dock, hands clasped behind his back. ] The engine is heavier than I was expecting. We need weights towards the front to balance it, but then it will sit lower in the water than I would like. What if the increased water resistance is too much for the battery to handle? If it tips or springs a leak from the new openings we carved for fixtures, our work will be lost to the sea. I'm not sure I could lift it out by myself.

[fullgauntlet]

[Meanwhile, Izuku starts taking several notes about what Emet-Selch is saying... But he can tell the man is very stressed out. He understands. Izuku is nervous for the outcome of all this work as well.]

I think this is what they mean by "prototype," ne? I know it's a lot to think about but even if we fail today that will give us accurate data for next time.

[But he knows how expensive this is too...]

In the end, we might want to look into thinner materials but I'm not sure what is available. But I think we should be positive about our results today! You've been working hard.

[emet_sulk]

Mm...

[ He takes a few more turns before halting, watching as the engine disappears into the hold of the ship. There are people inside who will be attaching it to fixtures inside. The old vessel rests on supports in the dock so that the waves can't rock it and disturb their work. ]

I can only pray I have made the right decision in proceeding with this, [ he mutters, glancing to the side at some well-dressed individuals who are observing from their own vantage. ] Hypocritical though it may be of me to worry about such things.

[fullgauntlet]

I think it's normal to worry about it... Working on something to this scale is going to change the world.

[Something as revolutionary as this? It feels strange to be a part of it. But Izuku is very happy to see it coming together. To be a part of it.]

I have been wondering and wanting to ask you... What made you want to make an engine in the first place?

dragon tails | enter disney princess, stage right

[empyrean_mirror]

[You'd think they'd finally meet in person at the forge. After all, Kaveh keeps meaning to look, it's just that he got kidnapped by moogles last month, and before that was the thing with the abyss, and...

Well, look, he wasn't going to ignore this poor dragon. After all, there's a non-zero chance she's an acquaintance. She isn't, but he had to be sure.

Which is how he walks in on...this. That sure is a floating sheep. Not even on the top ten of weird things he's seen, but Kaveh still takes a minute to try and assess what's going on here.]

...Am I interrupting something?

oh my

[emet_sulk]

[ He startles and whips around. Relaxes when he sees a familiar face. ]

What? No. I'm trying to feed it.

[ He urges the dead sheep closer but the dragon pointedly keeps its eyes closed and ignores him. ]

I'm sorry he's just canonically Like This

[empyrean_mirror]

...[Kaveh exerts every single ounce of willpower he possesses to not say something snarky, and looks from the...floating sheep carcass to the dragon. Then back to Emet-Selch.]

Well, let's start with putting the sheep down and figuring out what her problem is.

[Besides a sheep in her face, since Kaveh is trying to be diplomatic. He will slowly approach the dragon regardless, with a soft smile and soft tone of voice.]

Hey, c'mon now, you'll need to eat to recover your strength, you know that...

[The dragon is...strangely amenable to Kaveh's approach but is DEFINITELY sulking.]

he just needs some musical backing to seal it

[emet_sulk]

[ He presses his lips together but lowers the sheep carcass with a wave of his hand. If Kaveh has a way with beasts then they may as well take the lead. Emet-Selch still retains some wariness regarding dragons. ]

If we knew what the problem was we wouldn't be in this situation, [ he grumbles. ]

birdsong and a full orchestra

[empyrean_mirror]

And that's why we're going to find out, no?

[Kaveh is pointedly ignoring your bad mood, sir, he's dealt with crankier cats every morning. But he does approach the dragon and apply some gentle nosepats, which she accepts with dignity.]

They understand our language just fine, I think--at least, the ones on Ocard did--so...ma'am, are you not hungry?

[...A long pause. And the dragon shakes her head. No, she wants food, but...

There is a long, pointed stare at the scary cranky man.]

1-B

[makoglow]

[ Cloud has been here on and off, of course. Between working at the bar and making deliveries, doing some favors here and there, he's still tried to make time for this. The prospect of an engine is just too good to pass up. Not to mention, he had committed to this as well.

It's interesting to see the plans start to come together during the planning and then building process. Now here they are, looking to actually install it. ]

What do you need me to do.

[emet_sulk]

[ He stops pacing for a second to glance at Cloud. ]

Ah, good timing. Come here.

[ He points to the ship waiting in the dock and strides over, beckoning impatiently for Cloud to follow. At their feet, his white chobo chick voices a 'kweh!' and patters quickly after him. ]

Have you experience with cranes?

[makoglow]

[ Operate a what? Crane? ]

Not... Exactly.

[ But how hard could it be? ]

[emet_sulk]

Hmm...

[ A novice shouldn't be in charge of the engine itself, but perhaps the other parts such as the external pipes...? ]

A simpler task, then. Why don't you try operating this one?

[ He gestures to the crane. It isn't quite like the fully mechanised ones Cloud may have seen in his world but the principle is the same. ]

[makoglow]

[ Yeah, the principle should be the same. Cloud should be able to handle it.

Mostly he just works the controls to get a feel for it. Then gives a nod. ]

1a

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda has not had as many opportunities to work on the engine prototype as she would like. It's probably to be expected, given that the mortal incarnation of the calamity that destroyed her kingdom just so happens to be here in this world at the same time as Zelda. One has less time to dabble in magitech when one is also busy trying to thwart evil schemes.

But said schemes have been (temporarily) thwarted, injuries healed, and the young "researcher" is free to pursue much more enjoyable endeavors.

Such as wracking her brain for a reason why the engine refuses to ignite today. Especially considering that it was igniting just fine yesterday. The more Zelda tries to troubleshoot, the more confused she gets. A few components have been removed and are lying on the workbench while Zelda pores over a section of the schematics. ]

I don't understand. Nothing appears to be damaged...

[ She's right; the components are all fine. The problem is related to the 'magic' part of magitech-- an area that is not Zelda's strong suit. ]

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch happens to overhear her confusion as he walks past. Although he has his own work to be doing, he wanders over and glances at the spread of components on her table. ]

What's the matter? Do they not fit?

[ They'll have to organise replacement parts posthaste if so. ]

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda shakes her head. ]

No, they fit together correctly. In fact, yesterday everything was working perfectly well and we were able to successfully start the engine several times.

But for some reason, it refuses to ignite today. These are components of the ignition system here. [ She gestures at the spread. ] They do not look damaged to me, but I cannot think of what else could be the problem.

[emet_sulk]

Hmm... Would you put it together again and show me?

[ He could do it himself but she's clearly been at it for a while. She'll be faster. ]

[multidisciplinary]

[ She has been at it for awhile. She's going to see ignition components in her nightmares.

But Zelda nods and starts reassembling. ]

I will freely admit, magic is not exactly my strong suit. I know that is a key component of magitech, hence the name, but it is the component I understand the least. I have disassembled a few smaller magitech devices in order to learn how they work, but I have not had as much success reassembling them to working order. I purchased a magitech kettle from a vendor in the Shellton markets-- ah, did you know that there are kettles that can boil water on their own without needing to be over a hearth? I thought it absolutely brilliant, so I wanted to see for myself how it worked. But when I reassembled it, the core function no longer worked; it would turn on and light up, but water never boiled.

[ Yeah, she's just chattering on. It's what she does. It fills the time, though-- by the end of her meandering story, the ignition system is all put together again. Zelda turns the knob to start it and... absolutely nothing happens.

She throws up her hands in defeat. ] It has been like this all day.